Ding. The elevator slid open to the second floor of the hospital where a waiting room loomed full of family members anxiously awaiting news of their loved one’s wellbeing This was where I found myself sitting this morning, with my step dad on my right side, and my daughter on my left, waiting for my mom to come out of surgery to find out if cancer has returned. Two weeks ago, my feet were padding across packed, wet sand, as waves lapped up against my ankles. I swung my sandals in my hand,… Read More

I see my friends; Mama-bears all. So strong, so willing to hold, willing to hear, willing to speak truth, willing to nourish, willing to heal. Still each one has days when she needs a Mama-bear too. Each one has moments of weakness, each one sometimes listens to lies, sometimes feels alone. Then, at the moment of need another woman of strength; full of compassion, full of life comes alongside to hold up her arms in the battle. We are at our best when a few of us come together to hold up… Read More

The lies we believe and the truth that sets us free! For years now, I have struggled with my weight, I have also struggled with clutter. During much of that time I have appeared to have my life altogether. I had an amazing career in TV news for 29 years. I was the first in my family to go to college. I am the daughter of immigrants who gave up everything, even their identity as citizens of another country to become citizens of a country where they were not necessarily wanted or… Read More

Most of my life I’ve viewed God as a God who expects us to sacrifice our lives to Him. Many times I’ve pictured myself as Issac laid on the altar, and envisioned me sacrificing everything I have to God.  I know this all sounds very holy, very righteous, very “self-sacrificing”, which is good, right? I saw God as a God who takes from us, who demands complete obedience like a military commander or a dictator.  The fear of the Lord, was well just that, a holy terror of sorts.  I viewed God… Read More

I could write a generic story about how we are soldiers for God and how Hearts of Beauty weekend is like boot camp, tearing you down, then building you up, but, the best writing is like a strip of scotch tape–transparent. So, (sigh), here goes… It’s really difficult to watch the blessings fall down on others like rain and you feel like you are in a drought. I have told friends, “Don’t worry, God is in the blessing business.” But in the back of my mind, I would say. “Except me.” I… Read More